Under-15 Boys Division 1 Football Season To Date:

THE Donaghmore-Ashbourne under-15 boys footballers produced the goods when it mattered most to secure a Division 1 semi-final spot on Tuesday night past in the club.

After three narrow defeats, the side had to win their last two matches to qualify for the semi-finals. 

First up was a tricky away trip to Dunboyne on a horrible dark evening where the side won a messy affair, despite losing midfielder Oisin Daly to heavy knock midway through the first half. 

That set up a winner takes all clash with Gaeil Colmcille on Pitch 1 last Tuesday night.

The team had to win by two points to edge out their Kells opponents on score difference. 

It didn’t look great just before the second water break on 45 minutes when Gaeil Colmcille cracked home a goal to draw level, having trailed by five points at one stage. 

But the lads dug in during the final quarter, despite facing into the breeze, holding their opponents to two points, while tagging on 1-6 to secure a gutsy seven point win.

The patience shown in recycling the ball to tap over simple scores late on was key, while Eoin Kelly caught a series of Kells kickouts under the stand to keep his side on the front foot. 

Captain, Michael O’Sullivan cracked home the late goal to seal a hard-fought win, when the game appeared to be drifting away from the home side.

It looked like missing three or four goal chances earlier on would cost the team, but they put that behind them to see it out.  

Every man has played his part to date, with ever improving goalkeeper, Jodev Puchon taking on board the advice of Jack Hannigan and Andrew Colgan, who have helped the team out at training, with Jack also doing a bit of umpiring.

Big thanks to the two lads for helping out.  

Attendance at training has been excellent, even when results weren’t going the way of the team, with the squad growing to 21. 

Andrew Skelton and Cian Quinn have been rock solid and tigerish in the corners, winning the vast majority of their duels, with Evan O’Kane at number three strong in the air and in pulling off some fine last ditch blocks. 

Conor McNally has taken up some important man marking jobs, and specialises in getting important hands in to turn over ball, while Daniel Holmes, a welcome returnee to the squad has lost none of his sharpness or football ability at corner back or number six.  

The full back line’s ability to work the ball out at pace off the shoulder is improving all the time.

Matthew Scanlon is enjoying his best and most consistent campaign to date at wing back, with Aidan Mackey a rock at number six, covering and putting his body on the line.

Ryan Murphy has played important roles for the team at wing back and corner-forward, showing his versatility with Oisin Daly honest as the day is long at midfield in his covering and driving forward.

Eoin Kelly has scored in every game, including off both feet, and leads from the front all the time. 

In the forwards Leon Mahon had his best game yet for the club in the Kells win, securing a series of kick outs and working his socks off. 

Zach Thornton found his radar with frees last time out against Kells, converting a series of important efforts, and appears to be coming into form at the right time.

Michael O’Sullivan’s clever incisive running has led to some big scoring tallies, including a hat-trick of goals in one game, as he continues to grow into the captain’s role in this campaign.

Adam Doran is a big addition to the squad with great feet and will only get better with matches, and the same goes for Callum Fitzgerald, who has shot two points in every game he’s played.

Jack Lynch has often led the way with covering back and turning over ball to lift the team, and also plays a link man role on the inside line. 

Sam Dunne is a raiding threat from the wing, and Ben Braniff has brought some badly needed drive and aggression to the attack, going straight at his man and winning a series of frees. 

Niall O’Sullivan is just back from a long term injury, but barely missed a training session in that time, while Guy Sharlott is back after five weeks away and ready to roll again. 

Jack Doran, Alex McCann and Patrick Moran have all stepped up from the under-14 side when numbers were needed to bolster the squad, and acquitted themselves really well at a high standard of football. 

It’s pleasing to see three or four players executing goals and points with their ‘other foot’ and this is a reward for the hard work they’ve put in. 

Lads have stood up well to the physicality and pace of Division 1 football, but our biggest challenge lies ahead, away to St. Colmcille’s in the semi-final on Tuesday night. 

The lads lost by five points to the Piltown outfit in the group stages, and are up against it, facing the unbeaten table toppers, but a big effort is expected from this group.   

DONAGHMORE-ASHBOURNE SQUAD: Jodev Puchon, Cian Quinn, Andrew Skelton, Evan O’Kane, Conor McNally, Daniel Holmes, Matthew Scanlon, Aidan Mackey, Ryan Murphy, Eoin Kelly, Oisin Daly, Leon Mahon, Zach Thornton, Sam Dunne, Guy Sharlott, Niall O’Sullivan, Ben Braniff, Callum Fitzgerald, Jack Lynch, Adam Doran, Michael O'Sullivan.